NASHUA, N.H. – Simmons volleyball (7-3, 1-1 GNAC)  opened Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action splitting Saturday afternoon's tri-match against Rivier University (3-4, 1-0 GNAC) and the University of Saint Joseph (4-8, 1-0 GNAC).

Vs. Rivier – L, 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 22-25, 26-24, 12-15)

The day began with a re-match of the 2019 GNAC semifinals between Simmons and Rivier. With history as indicator as to how tough this match was going to be, it was a barn-burner and went down to five sets. 

Rivier jumped a head winning the first set, 25-21, but Simmons responded and evened the match at 1-1 edging out the Raiders, 25-20 in the second set. The third and fourth sets were mirror images of the first and second with the Raiders taking game three 25-22 and the Sharks bouncing back in game four, 26-24 to force the deciding game five. Rivier got the best of Simmons with a 15-12 win in the fifth set. 

Sophomore Claire Conners posted a .393 attack percentage, tallying 14 kills on 28 attempts with three errors. Classmate Jayla Parnell led the Sharks notching 18 kills, while junior Sydney Iannantuono recorded her fifth double-double with 12 kills and a season-best 21 digs.

Vs. Saint Joseph's (Conn) – W, 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-15)

In their second match of the day, Simmons made quick work of Saint Joseph's (Conn.) with a three-set shutout. The Sharks sealed the match, hitting .370 as a team in the third set en route to the 25-15 win.

Iannantuono led the way tallying 11 kills, while Parnell followed up with nine kills on 16 attempts for a .438 attack percentage. First-year Nelani Majkia was nearly perfect from the floor, hitting .667 with four kills on six attempts.

The Sharks combined to register 15 total blocks – including one solo block from first-year Joenissa Ortiz. Sophomore Kat Simeonidis led the way with four block assists while senior Amanda Fortune and Conners followed up with three a piece.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore Jayla Parnell led the way tallying 27 kills.
• Junior Sydney Iannantuono recorded her fifth double-double the season against Rivier with 12 kills and a season-best 21 digs.
• Sophomore Claire Conners, hit .393 against the Raiders finished the day with a .250 attack percentage, notching 16 kills on 40 attempts against Rivier and Saint Joseph.

UP NEXT
Simmons continues conference play when they travel to Franklin, Mass. on Wednesday, Sept. 29 to face Dean at 6 p.m.